Upright Prairieconeflower (Ratibida columnifera)

MAY-JULY

Upright Prairieconeflower Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. (COMPOSITE FAMILY)

Upright prairieconeflower is an erect perennial 1-2.5 ft tall with minutely pubescent stems. The alternate leaves are pinnatifid, the 5 to 9 segments linear or lanceolate. The inflorescence is a terminal head with yellow-orange (sometimes reddish-purple) ray flowers and a columnar disk, gray at first and changing as it matures to purplish brown. The fruit is an angled winged achene. The leaves and flowers of this plant can be used to brew a pleasant tea.